A three-time Christy Award winner, Lynn Austin crafts rousing tales of hope and redemption. All She Ever Wanted stars Kathleen Seymour, a woman who seems to have it all, though she hides a dark family secret. To her horror, everything comes crashing down when she loses her job and her daughter is caught shoplifting. Desperate to regain control over her life, Kathleen returns to her estranged family to mend her severely broken relationships before it is too late. Download and start listening now!

“A brilliant novel about love, forgiveness, suffering, and the importance of resisting the temptation to run away when things get tough.”Christian Book Previews

Listener Opinions

Erin | 2/18/2014

" I was a little scared to read this book when the author bio listed going to church as an interest of the author (I had never heard of her or Christian fiction). I read the first chapter and was quite turned off by the references to the bible, church and Christianity. There was a conflict between mother and daughter and the family would try to deal with this by looking to the bible. I put it down but then I was on a plane and had nothing better to read so I picked it up again. The book did get better and the religious references became less common but the ending was too preachy for me and what could have been a decent story about family history got on my nerves. "

Bub | 2/6/2014

" I liked this book because it was the first one that I had read in a long, long while. It was an easy read and the story line kept me interested. A great one for the beach. "

Sherry Ledet | 2/5/2014

" As always Lynn Austin writes a page turner. Kathleen's story begins when her teenage daughter is caught shop lifting and travels back to her grandmother's imagration from Irland. In her quest to reach out to her daughter she discovers the lives, loves and loses of the women who unknowingly shaped her life and in turn, her daughter's. A book I recommend highly, as I have recommended all of the Lynn Austin books I have read. Ms. Austin has a unique ability to weave a story that teaches and touches your heart. "

Cami | 1/29/2014

" My least favorite Lynn Austin book- but still good. "

Kaitlin | 1/23/2014

" One of my favorite authors! "

Samantha Colson | 1/18/2014

" I loved this book. I will read more of her books in the future. "

Cindy | 1/17/2014

" I enjoyed the story of the main character, Kathy, who unraveled the thread of her life by discovering the personal stories of her mother and grandmother. Life is not always as it seems, even when we are in the midst of it. "

Bobbie Jo Miller | 1/15/2014

" Another good read from Lynn Austin!!! I was hooked from page one. "

Aimee | 1/8/2014

" I love this author! Her characters are so vivid and her stories are great. I enjoyed this book and the ending! "

Deb | 1/8/2014

" Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts[return]Kathleen doesn't like to talk about her past. But a confrontation with her daughter and an invitation from her estranged sister force her to open up about her background. As she and her daughter travel to the New York town where she grew up, she tells her about what it was like to grow up in extreme poverty, with a dad who was a thief and a mother who was chronically depressed and ill. Kathleen never wanted to visit the places and people that caused her so much pain again. But returning to her hometown gives her a chance to learn the truth about Eleanor, her once vibrant mother, and Fiona, the grandmother she barely knew. [return][return][return]Style Characterisics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.[return]Shifts from Kathleen's point of view to those of her mother's best friend, her grandmother, her uncle, and her mother. The story unfolds slowy, with pieces gradually falling into place. Sometimes the way the characters talk is too much like the author's own detailed way of describing the story--the switchining points of view while a character is supposed to be telling their story leaves you wondering if they really told it the way the author told it or more like the way people talk. So the dialogue seems unrealistic at times. But the characters and the lessons they learn are meaningful and the places and situations so well described that it is easy to get caught up in the story. [return][return][return][return]How Good is it?[return]A strong tale exloring the consequences of the decisions made by 3 generations of women. "

Michelle Butlig | 12/2/2013

" This book was good, but not great. It was about three generations of women and the struggles, family hurt they endured.. Each generation hiding secrets of the past. Was an enjoyable read, but didn't enjoy it as much as other Lynn Austin books. "

" Predictable writing and I disliked the sudden breaks into the next part: "That summer I was nine years old..." "

Janette Wagner | 11/8/2013

" This was a good road trip read. I like novels that show how generations of families are connected to each other. It wasn't too cheesy or sappy like some Christian novels can be. "

Daisy | 10/27/2013

" I picked this up at the dollar store and had no idea what I was buying. Turns out it is a Christian novel, and although it has the usual Christian novel corniness, the story was actually quite interesting. Not a bad read overall. "

Camilla | 10/18/2013

" I found it interesting, how much we could probably learn about who we are by learning about what our parents and grandparents went through. Good communication doesn't hurt. "

Denise | 8/12/2013

" I enjoyed learning about each character and how they got on the road that they were on; however, I did feel it ended abruptly and with a weak lesson. I thought Fiona was kind of a dimwit and if she had simply written a letter to her mother and sisters herself, she may have prevented what happened. "

Lisa | 8/9/2013

" Had never read this author before, just picked it up in the library. Really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more of her works. "

Fru | 6/8/2013

" It was fascinating to see problems and issues transfer from generation to generation. "

Marita | 3/2/2013

" Another one about disfunctional family relationships. Too depressing, simple minded and sappy for my liking. "

Kristen | 2/28/2013

" I liked the weaving of stories between three different generations. "

Jennifer | 2/24/2013

" Enjoyed the story and the way things fell into place- a little preachy at the end though. "

Jenny | 11/11/2012

" Between the scripture, reciting of sins, and the constant backward motion I lost momentum. Not one of Austin's best stories. "

Dana | 8/3/2012

" LOVED!!! It was my first christian fiction. Definitely recommend. "

Samantha | 7/28/2011

" This was a really well written book. Not something that I typically read, but it was very good. I realize now, or re-realize, just how much a person's past effects their lives and makes them who they are in the present. It was an amazing book for that. "

Susie | 6/30/2011

" Enjoyed this. Read in 24 hrs (library download was about to expire). Have read a couple Lynn Austin books now, and will be back for more. "

Kitty | 6/15/2011

" Awesome novel with great insight into a family's present and past generations...this story gives hope on how one family overcame their past. "

Linda | 5/26/2011

" The importance of choices, perils of prejudging, and the need for God and family in your life are all food for thought in this book. "

Brenda | 3/18/2011

" This book about a mother and daughter trying to learn about the past actually made me cry in several different parts. If a book can do that, it deserves 5 stars! Loved it~ "

Kate | 3/5/2011

" It was good but it told about all these different people so u would get really interested in this one person then it would go back to this other one. It's not as good and some of Lynn Austin's books but it was ok. "

Shauna | 2/16/2011

" Predictable writing and I disliked the sudden breaks into the next part: "That summer I was nine years old..."
"

Dana | 2/13/2011

" LOVED!!! It was my first christian fiction. Definitely recommend.
"

Jenny | 1/6/2011

" Between the scripture, reciting of sins, and the constant backward motion I lost momentum. Not one of Austin's best stories.
"

Lisa | 11/13/2010

" Had never read this author before, just picked it up in the library. Really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more of her works.
"

Daisy | 9/15/2010

" I picked this up at the dollar store and had no idea what I was buying. Turns out it is a Christian novel, and although it has the usual Christian novel corniness, the story was actually quite interesting. Not a bad read overall.
"

Liana | 9/13/2010

" Interesting story about how everyday decisions can effect not only our future, but the future of our loved ones!
"

Samantha | 8/20/2010

" This was a really well written book. Not something that I typically read, but it was very good. I realize now, or re-realize, just how much a person's past effects their lives and makes them who they are in the present. It was an amazing book for that.
"

Kitty | 5/28/2010

" Awesome novel with great insight into a family's present and past generations...this story gives hope on how one family overcame their past.
"

Ann | 4/8/2010

" It skipped around had to go back to prev chapters to figure out who was who and related too it would have been an exceptional book if it didn't Take so long to get to the end and change years and people so much
"

Erin | 2/13/2010

" I loved this book! I love how it tells about 3 different generations of women in a family.
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Janie | 1/8/2010

" Picked up this book because it happened to be next to Pride and Prejudice at the library.

I loved it. Very good and eye opening for me about Mother daughter relationships. One of my favorites of the year.
"

Heather | 12/14/2009

" not my favorite but a good story.
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Danica | 11/7/2009

" I love Lynn Austin, and she didn't fail to reach my expectations. It was a very thought-provoking book and had me thinking about my own relationship with my mother.

It was a great book.
"

Beth | 10/29/2009

" Really liked this book. Kathleen and daughter, Joelle return to the home Kathleen left 18 years earlier only to learn the truth about her mother, grandmother and other family members whom she swore she would never see again. Heartwarmin story of family tradegy and triumph.
"

Other Titles by Lynn Austin:

About the Author

Lynn Austin is an award-winning author of historical fiction novels. Five of her books, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night,and Until We Reach Home, received Christy Awards for Excellence in Christian Fiction. Her novel Hidden Places was also made into a movie for the Hallmark channel, receiving an Emmy Award nomination in 2006. She received her BA from Southern Connecticut State University and studied biblical backgrounds and Archeology at Southwestern Theological Seminary. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full time, she currently lives outside of Chicago.

About the Narrator

Linda Stephens is a seasoned audiobook narrator whose readings include Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, which won an AudioFile Earphones Award and was a finalist for the Audie Award for Best Narration.

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